shadow block technique

shadow block technique

by | Dec 27, 2024 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, stamps ink paper, techniques

What is a girl to do with all her Designer Series paper scraps? Well today’s card is an optical illusion card that checks all the boxes:
fun card – check
using paper scraps – check
easy card – check
wow technique – check!

Follow along and make a card using this technique and let me know how it turns out!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scrap for die cut
Basic Black CS: (20) 3/4″ square pieces
scrap for the word die cut
DSP: (20) 3/4″ square

Adhere the DSP squares to the Basic Black squares but offset them slightly off to the bottom and left hand side of the DSP square.
Adhere the first row of squares to the card base spacing evenly.
Adhere the remaining rows of Squares to the card front spacing evenly side to side and top to bottom.
Finish adhering the remaining matted squares to the card base, making sure that the black square is in the same position for all squares.
This gives the illusion that the DSP squares have a shadow radiating out behind them!
Such a cool optical illusion don’t you think!
Using the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set – stamp in Memento Tuxedo Black ink the BEST from the Friends for Life stamp set onto the die.
Adhere to the top middle of the card on an angle.
Die cut the word friend from the Friends for Life die set in scrap Basic Black cardstock and adhered below the banner die cut.
Add three Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gems to the banner die cut on the card front to add a little bling and finish off this fun and super easy card!
Try this optical illusion card today and let me know how you like the results – now go and create some cool artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Full Of Life Suite Collection (English)
[163369]
$82.50
Friends For Life Bundle (English)
[163365]
$53.00
Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[163359]
$25.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Bright & Beautiful 6
[161449]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$6.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Friends For Life Dies (English)
[163364]
$34.00
Stylish Shapes Dies
[159183]
$30.00
Adhesive Backed Sparkle Gems
[161288]
$8.50
out of the box stamping

out of the box stamping

by | Dec 25, 2024 | card samples, die cutting, specialty papers, stamps ink paper, techniques

Merry Christmas to all my family, friends and followers! By Christmas day after making loads of Christmas cards for customers and family and friends on my list I am ready for something different!
Today’s blog post is all about extending the stamps you have in your collection and using them in out of the box ways! The stamp bundle I picked today is an Online Exclusive suite called Seasons of Green and Gold that reminds me of the Christmas season with its boughs of Green and accents of gold foiled specialty paper. Instead of using the suite in a traditional manner to make a Christmas season card I used it in it’s golden hues only to make a card suitable for an anniversary or wedding.
I assembled the card based on one of the layouts featured in our 2024 Annual Catalog!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″ cut off 3/4″ off the left hand
side
scrap for large circle die
3 3/8″ x 4 1/2″ layer
Glimmer Paper: 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
DSP (3) 1: x 4 3/8″

Cut off 3/4″ off the edge of the left-hand side of the 5 1/2″ edge of the BASE.
Adhere the 3/4″ glimmer paper to the left-hand edge.
Adhere the 1″ strips to the gold-foiled Seasons of Green and Gold DSP to the layer of Basic White CS.
Adhere the layer on the base card overhanging the glimmer paper edge.
Stamp the foliage stamp in Wild Wheat.
Stamp the outline in Pebbled Path.
Stamp the large circle from the Stylish Shapes die set with the Friends for Life stamp set – stamp BEST in Wild Wheat on the upper portion of the circle, the wishes sentiment in Pebbled Path ink.
Adhere to the lower middle of the layer popping up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Adhere the Petal Pink foiled gems onto the circle die.

An elegant card and out of the box stamping.
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Season Of Green & Gold Suite Collection (English)
[164121]
$153.25
Season Of Green & Gold 12
[164324]
$16.50
Golden Greenery Bundle
[164117]
$56.50
Golden Greenery Photopolymer Stamp Set
[164331]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Gold & Rose Gold 6
[156844]
$5.00
Pebbled Path Classic Stampin' Pad
[161648]
$9.00
Wild Wheat Classic Stampin' Pad
[161651]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$6.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Golden Beauty Dies
[159864]
$25.00
Stylish Shapes Dies
[159183]
$30.00
Iridescent Foil Gems
[162842]
$8.00
more color mondays – gorgeous grape, coastal cabana and blueberry bushel

more color mondays – gorgeous grape, coastal cabana and blueberry bushel

by | Aug 20, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, more color mondays

Well this week’s More Color Monday is airing on Tuesday! It is 10:30 pm on Monday and I realized that I did not write this blog. This weekend we moved my youngest son into his new apartment to start his Junior year in college and Friday night we received the sad news that my father who had been suffering with dementia for a few years collapsed and passed away while we were in South Carolina. Needless to say this week will be a blur celebrating my father’s life with my family. I had all of this week’s cards designed and photographed just not input so they may come on different days!

Today’s More Color (Tuesday) is a color combination I really like – Gorgeous Grape, Coastal Cabana and Blueberry Bushel! I had to search my past MCM (More Color Mondays) posts because I was SURE that I must have put this great color combination together before but it is a new combination!
I just received the Sketched Butterflies bundle as a recruiting incentive and I am LOVING this stamp and die bundle!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
(2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers
Gorgeous Grape scraps for butterfly dies
Coastal Cabana scraps for butterfly dies
Blueberry Bushel scraps for butterfly dies
Basic Black scraps for dies

Using Blending Brushes blend Gorgeous Grape ink onto the bottom third of one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layers.
Using Blending Brushes blend Coastal Cabana ink onto the middle third of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer right above the Gorgeous Grape blended area.
Using Blending Brushes blend Blueberry Bushel ink onto the top third of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer right above the Coastal Cabana blended area.
(Note in the photo I was rushing and dropped my ink pad onto the finished area OOPS – had to redo the whole blending process on the back-side!)
That is what happens when you rush creativity!!
Here is the finished second version!
Die cut two of the heart dies into the second 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer.
Adhere the heart layer over the blended layer and then mount both onto the card base.
Die cut the heart and the friend outline in black cardstock. Adhere the black heart outline around the lower heart cut out image.
Adhere the friend outline over the upper heart cut out and start to adhere the colored butterfly dies around the outside perimeter of the hearts.
I stamped love you sentiment onto the top of the card in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and add embellishments to the card to complete it!
Such a fun “flighty” card – try this peek through color technique with dies you have on hand. Now go and create some artwork of you very own one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Friends For Life Bundle (English)
[163365]
$53.00
Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[163359]
$25.00
Sketched Butterflies Bundle (English)
[163492]
$49.50
Sketched Butterflies Cling Stamp Set (English)
[163490]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Basic Black 8-1/2
[121045]
$11.50
Blueberry Bushel 8-1/2
[146968]
$11.50
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2
[131297]
$11.50
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2
[146987]
$11.50
Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad
[147138]
$9.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad
[147097]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad
[147099]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$6.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Friends For Life Dies (English)
[163364]
$34.00
Sketched Butterflies Dies
[163491]
$29.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems
[162611]
$8.00
another designer series paper tri-fold card

another designer series paper tri-fold card

by | Aug 2, 2024 | Designer Series Paper, die cutting, fun fold, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s blog post is another tri-fold using some of our beautiful Designer Series Paper! I had so much fun designing Wednesday’s tri-fold that I decided to go ahead and do another one!
Today we are using the Full of Life 6″ x 6″ DSP for this vertical tri-fold card.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ X 11″
scored at 4″ and 6 3/4″
(5) 4″ x 5 1/4″ for watercolor background die
cuts
scraps for the sentiments
DSP top layer: 3 3/4″ x 4″
DSP middle layer 2 1/2″ x 4″ mine is 2 1/4″ because this was a 6″ paper stack and I wanted to save paper.
DSP: bottom layer 4″ x 4″

Using an acrylic block ink up one color per watercolor wash. I used Azure Afternoon, Lemon Lime Twist, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade and Gorgeous Grape. Add ink directly to the acrylic block and spritz with water in a Stampin’ Spritzer. Add the paper on top of the block and hold in place for a few seconds to allow the paper to absorb the water and the ink. Die cut one of the leave stems from each watercolor died paper.

Score the 4 1/4″ x 11″ Basic White cardstock at 4″ and 6 3/4″.
Cut the desired DSP – I wanted a color gradient so i chose the B sides of the Full of Life DSP.
I adhered the top layer of 3 3/4″ x 4″ to the top panel.
I adhered the middle DSP layer of 2 1/2″ x 4″ to the middle panel.
I adhered the Bottom DSP layer of 4″ square to the bottom panel.
Just think of the possibilities if you used a scenic 12″ x 12″ DSP you could create a continuous scene across the card and do this in either landscape of vertical!
I adhered the leaf dies to each panel close to the corresponding color gradient on the DSP.
I die cut the word friend from Basic White scraps and added it to the top of the bottom panel so that the word does not peek out when the card is closed and is a surprise!
I die cut 2 of the rectangular strip dies for the top 2 panels and stamped sentiments in Azure Afternoon ink for the top panel and Crushed Curry for the middle panel.
I added Iridescent Adhesive-backed Discs to the card in a gradient of colors and this is what the card looks like closed and open!

Try this fun fold design soon! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Full Of Life Suite Collection (English)
[163369]
$82.50
Friends For Life Bundle (English)
[163365]
$53.00
Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[163359]
$25.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Full Of Life 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[163357]
$12.50
Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad
[161663]
$9.00
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad
[147087]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad
[147099]
$9.00
Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad
[147145]
$9.00
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad
[147050]
$9.00
Clear Block E
[118484]
$13.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$6.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Friends For Life Dies (English)
[163364]
$34.00
Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs
[161954]
$7.00
full of life flip flop fun fold

full of life flip flop fun fold

by | Jul 5, 2024 | card samples, fun fold, stamps ink paper, techniques

This is such a fun and interactive card! It’s called the FLipFLop FUn Fold and I made mine with the Full of Life suite – which I love because of all the fun bright colors!

The most difficult part about this card is the cutting and scoring and it isn’t really that difficult it just looks complex!

Measurements:
BASE: Lost Lagoon 5 1/2″ x 6 1/4″
DSP: 3″ x 3 1/4″
4″ x 3 1/4″

Position your base card into the Stampin’ Trimmer with the 6 1/4″ side along the top edge. Make a cut 1″ from each edge starting at 1″ from the top and go to 1″ from the bottom – so on your clear ruler cut from 1″ to 4 1/2″. Flip the paper over and do the same cut on the other edge.
At 2 5/8″ from the edge make a score line from the top edge to 1″ down only and from the bottom edge up to 4 1/2″ on the clear ruler which will be 1″ from the bottom.
Turn the paper so that you are able to make those same score lines on the opposite edge.
Now put the 5 1/2″ side at the top of the paper cutter and cut from the top of the horizontal cut line to 2 5/8″ and the pick up the cutting blade and cut from 3 5/8″ to 5 1/4″.
Turn the paper 180 degrees and do the same cuts on the opposite side of the paper. See the card template photo below.

Cut your desired pieces of Designer Series paper at 3″ x 3 1/4″ for the front piece and 4″ x 3 1/4″ for the back piece.
I knew that I wanted to use the heart die from the Full of Life die set but not sure which pieces I wanted so I die cut both hearts from the Pool Party, Lost Lagoon and Coastal Cabana scraps as well as the word Friend.
I stamped the double heart image on the outside frame of the card in Lost Lagoon ink.
Score at the 2 5/8″ mark and the 3 5/8″ mark and bring the edges of the card base in so that the swing piece moves towrds the right side of the card – this will show the smaller piece of the swing mechanism in the front of the card.
Adhere the 3″ x 3 /14″ piece of DSP to that swing piece as shown.
Adhere the larger 4″ x 3 1/4″ piece of DSP to the back side of the swing piece.
I decided that the DSP was so bright and colorful that I wanted the DSP to show through as much as possible so I used the large heart outline on the backside DSP.
I adhered the die cut word Friend towards the bottom of the heart die and stamped miss you in Lost Lagoon ink on a scrap of 1/2″ Basic White strip and angle cut the edges.
I adhered the cut out heart die to the DSP on the card front and added Iridescent pearls to the card front frame so that they could be seen from both the flip and the flop side of the card!
So much fun I know just who I am going to send this too!
Now it’s your turn try this interactive fun fold and caret some art work of your very own and send it off to a special someone – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Here is a short video of the flip flop mechanism in action!
Product List
Full Of Life Suite Collection (English)
[163369]
$82.50
Friends For Life Bundle (English)
[163365]
$53.00
Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[163359]
$25.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[131297]
$11.50
Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[133679]
$11.50
Full Of Life 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[163357]
$12.50
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad
[133644]
$6.50
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$6.00
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Spritzer
[126185]
$6.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Friends For Life Dies (English)
[163364]
$34.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels
[158987]
$7.50